You may not have heard of Arcadia University, but you need to as it’s building something special athletically.
Last year they hired Kelsey Koelzer to build and coach their women’s hockey team.
Then a week ago they hired Aaron Green as their new head coach of men’s and women’s swimming.
That’s two Black coaches in two traditionally white sports.
Green comes to the Pennsylvania NCAA DIII school with a power-packed resume.
He was the head Coach and Aquatics Director at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia where he oversaw all areas of the program. He was also a Physical Education Instructor at Hollins.
In the pool, Green was a real-life Aquaman for MAC competitor Widener University.
He was the MAC Rookie of the Year in 2016, a four-time Honorable Mention All-American, the David B. Eavenson Award Winner as the MAC Men’s Swimmer of the Year in 2017, 2018, and 2019, a team captain and the 2019 Widener Male Athlete of the Year.
After finishing his decorated collegiate career, Green became a graduate assistant at the University of Lynchburg for two seasons. There he was part of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Coaching Staff of the Year in 2021 that, according to the release, led the women’s team to the ODAC Conference Championship and coached the men’s team to the runner-up position in the conference.
Now he’s bringing that success to the Arcadia Knights.
“I am both grateful and humbled to have been given the incredible opportunity of coaching Arcadia Swimming,” Green said in the statement. “When I arrived in Glenside, the energy on campus was palpable. The program’s tradition of inspiring growth in each student-athlete, coupled with the athletic department’s leadership, makes Arcadia the perfect location for this new chapter to begin.”
The Knights aren’t just getting an accomplished swimmer. They’re also getting a highly intelligent individual.
Green was named Academic All-MAC and named to the MAC Academic Honor Roll in 2018-2019. He won multiple scholarships, was active in organizations such as the SGA and the Black Student Union and was also Co-President of Black Men United.
He also earned his Master’s in Higher Education Leadership at Lynchburg.
With credentials like that, it’s no wonder why the university is so excited to have Green on board.
“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Green to the Arcadia community,” said Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation Brian Granata. “Throughout the interview process, he demonstrated a keen awareness of Division III principles and a commitment to developing student-athletes in the classroom and in the pool. He was a decorated swimmer in the MAC and has a deep understanding of the dynamics within the conference. We are confident that Coach Green possesses the drive and skillset to make a lasting impression on the Arcadia swim program.”
For Green, the excitement is mutual.
“It will be a privilege to work with Athletic Director Granata, Associate Athletic Director Michael Hebenstreit and the entire administration, who are truly committed to academic and athletic success,” said Green. “I, too, am dedicated and determined to further this vision. I am excited for this challenge and to bring continued character, comradery and competitiveness to our talented team.”
